MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The AJK Supreme Court has suspended the termination orders of 128 permanent employees from the Population Welfare Department, offering much-needed relief to the affected workers. The court issued this decision on June 12, 2025, in Muzaffarabad while hearing a review petition filed by the employees.
Going by the details, the petitioners stated that they were unfairly dismissed, and it also breached their right to a fair hearing.
The court ordered the Secretary of the Population Welfare Department to conduct an inquiry on 12 March 2025. According to their counsel Barrister Humayun Nawaz Khan, the employees had not participated in the departmental inquiry and had not been granted an opportunity to defend themselves when the orders of termination were made on May 29, 2025, before the Supreme Court of AJK.
The counsel also contended that the AJK Supreme Court had previously ordered the Secretary to the Population Welfare Department to conduct an inquiry. Yet, the discharging was done with no preparations of the concerned staff members involved. The court observed that it may go against the provisions of natural justice and due process.
After reviewing the case, the AJK Supreme Court found enough merit to grant temporary relief. It ordered that the termination orders would remain suspended until a final decision is made on the review petition. The court also directed the office to notify the other party and process the case quickly, in line with the law.
The court directed that respondents be notified and allowed to submit objections and that the matter be processed quickly according to the law.
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